Shoe having waterproof breathable shell

ABSTRACT

A shoe includes a waterproof shell which has at least one vent hole provided between upper and lower ends of the shell. A screen member which is porous to provide ventilation is disposed across the vent hole and attached to an inner surface of the shell. A ventilating sheet is disposed inwardly of the screen member and attached sealingly to the shell to cover the screen member. The ventilating sheet is made of a waterproof breathable membrane. Due to the screen member and the ventilating sheet, the shell is both waterproof and breathable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to a waterproof shoe, more particularly toa shoe which has a waterproof and breathable shell.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional waterproof shoe comprises anupper 1, a shell 2 and an outsole 3. The lower end of the upper 1 isstitched to the upper end of the shell 2, and the lower end of the shell2 is cemented to the outsole 3. The shell 2 is a waterproof shell formedby a molding process from a waterproof material such as a naturalrubber, a thermoplastic polyurethane or a thermoplastic rubber. Sincewaterproof shells made of the aforesaid materials have good abrasionresistance and good waterproofing properties, they are widely used inhunting boots, safety working shoes, hiking shoes and pac boots.

[0005] However, while the shoe having the shell 2 provides goodwaterproofing effects, since the material used in the shell 2 does notpermit ventilation, after the shoe is worn by the wearer for a prolongedperiod, the wearer would feel uncomfortable due to heat and moistureproduced inside the shoe. Even if only a portion of the shell 2 such asa toe part or a heel part, is made of the aforesaid material, the shoecan more or less discomfort the wearer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An object of this invention is to provide a shoe which has goodwaterproofing properties, but still permits good ventilation.

[0007] Accordingly, the present invention provides a shoe whichcomprises: a sole unit; a shell made of a waterproof material andincluding an upper end, a lower end, and a toe part and a heel partwhich are interconnected between the upper and lower ends, the lower endbeing connected to the sole unit, the shell further having at least onevent hole provided in the shell between the upper and lower ends; ascreen member disposed across the vent hole and being meshed to provideventilation; and a ventilating sheet disposed inwardly of the screenmember and attached to the shell to line the screen member, theventilating sheet being made of a waterproof breathable membrane andbeing connected in a watertight manner to the shell around the venthole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent in the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0009]FIG. 1 shows a conventional shoe;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

[0012]FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 7 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

[0017]FIG. 9 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 10 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

[0020]FIG. 12 shows an eighth embodiment of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along 13-13 of FIG. 12;

[0022]FIG. 14 shows a ninth embodiment of the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 14;

[0024]FIG. 16 shows a tenth embodiment of the present invention;

[0025]FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 16; and

[0026]FIG. 18 is the same view as FIG. 17 but with a layer of textilematerial being disposed at the outer side of the shell.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a first embodiment of the presentinvention is formed as a waterproof shoe which comprises an upper 10, asole unit 20, a shell 30, a ventilating sheet 40, a waterproof sealingunit 50 and a lining 60.

[0028] The upper 10 is made of a breathable material such as leather ora fabric material. The bottom end of the upper 10 is connected to anupper open end of the shell 30 via a stitching process. A bottom openend of the shell 30 is connected to the sole unit 20. The sole unit 20includes an outsole 21 which is attached to the bottom open end of theshell 30 via a conventional process. A filler 23 is filled in the bottomopen end of the shell 30, and a waterproof plate 22 is bonded to thefiller 23 and the bottom open end of the shell 30 to provide waterproofsealing.

[0029] The shell 30 is a three-dimensional molded body and includes atoe part 31 and a heel part 33 connected integrally with the toe part31. A plurality of vent holes 32 are disposed at intervals in all partsof the shell 30 between the upper and bottom open ends. Each vent hole32 has an integral screen member 321 which is formed integrally with theshell 30 and is meshed to provide ventilation.

[0030] The ventilating sheet 40 is made of a waterproof breathablemembrane well known as Goretex and is provided across the vent holes 32to cover the screen members 321 so that water or moisture is preventedfrom entering the interior of the shell 30 through the screen members321 while ventilation is permitted through the screen members 321. Theventilating sheet 40 has an upper marginal end extending to the upperend of the shell 30 and a lower marginal end extending to the lower endof the shell 30. The ventilating sheet 40 is endless between the upperand lower marginal ends thereof and adhered to an inner surface of theshell 30. In adhering the ventilating sheet 40 to the shell 30, it ispreferable that no adhesive is present between each screen member 321and the ventilating sheet 40 in order to ensure effective ventilation.

[0031] In particular, the upper marginal end of the ventilating sheet 40is stitched to the upper open end of the shell 30 and a lower end of theupper 10, thus forming a stitch seam 11. Alternatively, the uppermarginal end of the ventilating sheet 40 may be first stitched to theshell 30 and the bottom end of the upper 10 may be subsequently stitchedto both the ventilating sheet 40 and the shell 30. Also, it is possibleto use an alternative method in which the upper 10 and the shell 30 arefirst stitched together and the ventilating sheet 40 is then adhered tothe inner surface of the shell 30.

[0032] The waterproof sealing unit 50 includes upper and lowerwaterproof sealing members 51 and 52 which have a thickness of about 0.2mm to 1 mm. The upper waterproof member 51 is attached to the lower endof the upper 10 and the upper open end of the shell 30 along the stitchseam 11 so as to prevent water from entering the shell 30 through thestitch seam 11. The lower marginal end of the ventilating sheet 40 isadhered to the inner surface of the lower open end of the shell 30. Aseam 11A formed between the ventilating sheet 40 and the shell 30 issealed by the waterproof member 52 which is attached via adhesive to thelower marginal end of the ventilating sheet 40 and to the lower open endof the shell 30 to effectively prevent water from entering the interiorof the shell 30 through the seam 11A. Although the lower waterproofmember 52 is not absolutely essential, it can improve the waterproofingeffect at the bottom open end of the shell 30 when it is used. Insteadof using the upper and lower waterproof members 51, 52, watertightsealing may be provided at the stitch seam 11 and at the seam 11A byapplying thereto a waterproof adhesive.

[0033] The lining 60 is configured as a sock-like lining which isprovided inside the upper 10 and the shell 30 in a conventional manner.The upper 10 is constructed via a conventional waterproofing processusing waterproof adhesive or waterproof membranes, as so as to bewaterproof.

[0034] As hereinbefore described, the waterproof shell 30 is providedwith the vent holes 32 and screen members 321 for ventilation so thatheat and perspiration vapors can be removed from the interior of theshell 30. While ventilation is permitted through the vent holes 32, thewaterproof shell 30 still can prevent water from invading the shell 30due to the presence of the ventilating sheet 40 which is breathable butis waterproof. On the other hand, the weight of the waterproof shell 30can be reduced due to the presence of the vent holes 32 in the shell 30.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 4, a second embodiment of the present inventionis shown. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment inthat it includes a shell 30A with a lower closed end unlike the shell 30of the first embodiment which has the lower open end. The lower closedend of the shell 30A is attached directly to the outsole 21.

[0036] In FIG. 5, a third embodiment of the present invention is shown.As compared to the first embodiment, the difference of the thirdembodiment resides in a shell 70 which includes a toe part 71. This toepart 71 is formed separately from the remaining part of the shell 70 andis connected to the remaining part via a conventional mechanical processsuch as stitching or adhesive bonding. The toe part 71 is provided withvent holes 72 which are similar to the vent holes 32 describedhereinbefore.

[0037] In FIG. 6, a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown.As compared to the first embodiment, the difference of the fourthembodiment resides in a shell 80 which includes a heel part 81. The heelpart 81 is formed separately from the remaining part of the shell 80 andis connected to the remaining part of the shell 80 via a conventionalmechanical process. The heel part 81 is provided with vent holes 82which are similar to the vent holes 32 described hereinbefore.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention is shown to include an upper 90, an outsole unit 100, a shell110, a ventilating unit 120, and a waterproof sealing unit 130.

[0039] The shell 110 includes vent holes 111, and support bases 112which are formed separately from the shell 110 and which have marginalends attached to the shell 110 via stitching. Each support base 112 hasscreen members 1121 which are formed integrally therewith. The supportbases 112 are fitted respectively in the vent holes 111 formed in theshell 110. Due to the screen members 1121, ventilation is permittedthrough the shell 110.

[0040] The ventilating unit 120 includes ventilating sheets 121 whichare substantially similar to the ventilating sheet 40 except that eachventilating sheet 121 has marginal ends which are stitched to the shell110 between the upper and lower ends of the shell 110 around thecorresponding vent hole 111. In particular, the marginal ends of eachsupport base 112 and of each ventilating sheet 121 are stitched to theshell 110 to form a stitch seam 113. Alternatively, the marginal ends ofeach support base 112 alone may be stitched to the shell 110, and themarginal ends of each ventilating sheet 121 may be bonded adhesively tothe corresponding support base 112.

[0041] The waterproof sealing unit 130 includes waterproof sealingmembers 131 which are attached respectively to the inner surface of theshell 110 and to the stitch seam 113 to seal the stitch seam 113.Alternatively, the stitch seam 113 may be sealed in a water-tight mannerby applying a waterproof adhesive to the stitch seam 113.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 9, a sixth embodiment of the present inventionis shown. This embodiment differs from the fifth embodiment in that ashell 140 of this embodiment is formed by assembling together a toe part141A, a heel part 141B and two shank parts 141C (only one shank part isshown) via a stitching process. Each of the toe, heel and shank parts141A, 141B and 141C have support bases 142 and screen members 1421 whichare similar to the support bases 112 and the screen members 1121 of thefifth embodiment.

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a seventh embodiment of the presentinvention is shown, wherein a shell 150 includes a shank part 170 whichis formed separately from the remaining part of the shell 150 and whichis connected to the remaining part of the shell 150 via a stitchingprocess. The shank part 170 includes a plurality of screen members 172for ventilation. The screen members 172 are formed integrally with theshank part 170 and are covered by a ventilating sheet 180. Numerals 190and 200 represent waterproof sealing members.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, an eighth embodiment of the presentinvention is shown. Like the shell 30 of the first embodiment, a shell220 of this embodiment is provided with vent holes 222. However thisembodiment is different in that it includes a screen member which isformed as a meshed screen sheet 223. The screen sheet 223 is disposed atthe inner surface of the shell 220 across the vent holes 222. Aventilating sheet 230 is disposed inwardly of the screen sheet 223 tocover the screen sheet 223. The upper marginal ends of the screen sheet223 and the ventilating sheet 230 are stitched to the upper end of theshell 220 and a lower end of an upper 240. Adhesive may be used insteadof stitching.

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, a ninth embodiment of the presentinvention is shown. This embodiment differs from the fifth embodiment(FIGS. 7 and 8) in that this embodiment includes screen members 260.Each screen member 260 is mounted on a metallic hollow stud 261 which isfitted in each vent hole 262 of a shell 263. A ventilating sheet 264 isattached to the shell 263 to cover each screen member 260.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 16, 17 and 18, a tenth embodiment of thepresent invention includes a shell 300 which is composed of a layer oftextile material 302 and a layer of resinous molding material 301 whichis molded over the textile material 302. During the molding of theresinous molding material 301, vent holes 303 are provided in theresinous molding material 301 without extending the vent holes 303through the textile material 302. Therefore, the textile material 302extends across the vent holes 303 and serves as screen members 3021 forthe vent holes 303. An injection molding process may be employed formolding the resinous molding material 301 over the textile material 302.Since the textile material 302 is porous, it permits ventilation throughthe vent holes 303. This embodiment differs from the ninth embodiment inthat the screen members 3021 are connected integrally with the shell 300during the molding of the resinous molding material 301 of the shell300. Note that the textile material 302 maybe an inner layer which isdisposed inwardly of the layer of resinous molding material 301 as shownin FIG. 17, or an outer layer which is disposed outwardly of the layerof resinous molding material 301 as shown in FIG. 18.

[0047] While the present invention has been described in connection withwhat is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it isunderstood that this invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements includedwithin the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

I claim:
 1. A shoe comprising: a sole unit; a shell made of a waterproofmaterial and including an upper end, a lower end, and a toe part and aheel part which are interconnected between said upper and lower ends,said lower end being connected to said sole unit, said shell furtherhaving at least one vent hole provided in said shell between said upperand lower ends; a screen member disposed across said vent hole and beingporous to provide ventilation; and a ventilating sheet disposed inwardlyof said screen member and attached to said shell to line said screenmember, said ventilating sheet being made of a waterproof breathablemembrane and being connected in a watertight manner to said shell aroundsaid vent hole.
 2. The shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shellhas a plurality of said vent holes provided at intervals in all parts ofsaid shell between said upper and lower ends of said shell.
 3. The shoeas claimed in claim 2, wherein said ventilating sheet has an uppermarginal end extending to said upper end of said shell and a lowermarginal end extending to said lower end of said shell, said ventilatingsheet being endless between said upper and lower marginal ends, saidupper and lower marginal ends being attached sealingly to said upper andlower ends of said shell, thus forming seams at said upper and lowermarginal ends.
 4. The shoe as claimed in claim 3, further comprisingwaterproof sealing members provided respectively along said seams. 5.The shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of said vent holesare provided in a portion of said shell, said ventilating sheet havingmarginal ends attached sealingly to said portion of said shell aroundall of said vent holes.
 6. The shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidscreen member is formed as one piece with at least one portion of saidshell.
 7. The shoe as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a supportbase which is formed separately from said shell and which is attached toan inner surface of said shell, said screen member being formedintegrally with said support base, said support base being fitted withinsaid vent hole.
 8. The shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein said screenmember is formed as a meshed screen sheet which is formed separatelyfrom said shell and which is attached to an inner surface of said shellto cover said vent hole.
 9. The shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidshell includes a layer of textile material and a layer of resinousmolding material which is molded over said layer of textile material,said vent hole being provided in said layer of resinous molding materialwithout extending through said layer of textile material, said layer oftextile material having a portion extending across said vent hole toserve as said screen member.
 10. The shoe as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid ventilating sheet and said shell have therebetween a watertightseam which extends around said vent hole, said ventilating sheet havinga marginal end that extends along said watertight seam.
 11. The shoe asclaimed in claim 10, further comprising a waterproof sealing memberprovided along said watertight seam.